Vandebilt senior named Teenager of the Year

Christina McCain, a senior at Vandebilt Catholic High, poses with her parents, John and Michelle McCain, Saturday after being named the Terrebonne Teenager of the Year at the American Legion in Houma.

Ashleigh Blanchard/Correspondent

Kris JohnsonStaff Writer

Published: Monday, January 14, 2013 at 11:31 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 14, 2013 at 11:31 a.m.

An honors student active in church and school organizations has been named Terrebonne’s 2012 Teenager of the Year.

Christiana McCain, 17, a senior at Vandebilt Catholic High School, was awarded the title during a ceremony Saturday night at the American Legion building in Houma.

“If I didn’t love volunteering and being a force in my community, I don’t know how I would do it,” McCain said

McCain, deemed the “potential valedictorian,” by Vandebilt Assistant Principal Melissa Adams, was one of 24 seniors vying for the title. Four students were nominated from each parish high school.

Teachers and school administrators sent applications to a panel of seven American Legion members. Student and school names were not revealed, so nominees were judged solely on merit.

Event coordinator and Terrebonne School Board President L.P. Bordelon said the judges spend hours combing through applications to find the one that stands out.

“The award is one of the most prestigious a local student can earn,” Bordelon said.

The principal of each school listed individual nominees’ achievements, detailing participation in band, sports, student council, church, community and civic groups. Good grades topped the list of their achievements.

“As I was listening, I was thinking that everybody has accomplished so much, and everyone is so remarkable. I’m among the best of the best,” McCain said. “Honestly, anyone here could have won, so I’m so honored.”

McCain’s parents, John and Michelle McCain, said they were brimming with pride.

“I always knew she had it in her,” John McCain said.

“We’re so proud of her. It’s amazing. She did this all on her own,” Michelle McCain said.

Staff Writer Kris Johnson can be reached at 857-2207 or kris.johnson@houmatoday.com.

<p>An honors student active in church and school organizations has been named Terrebonne's 2012 Teenager of the Year.</p><p>Christiana McCain, 17, a senior at Vandebilt Catholic High School, was awarded the title during a ceremony Saturday night at the American Legion building in Houma.</p><p>“If I didn't love volunteering and being a force in my community, I don't know how I would do it,” McCain said </p><p>McCain, deemed the “potential valedictorian,” by Vandebilt Assistant Principal Melissa Adams, was one of 24 seniors vying for the title. Four students were nominated from each parish high school. </p><p>Teachers and school administrators sent applications to a panel of seven American Legion members. Student and school names were not revealed, so nominees were judged solely on merit.</p><p>Event coordinator and Terrebonne School Board President L.P. Bordelon said the judges spend hours combing through applications to find the one that stands out.</p><p>“The award is one of the most prestigious a local student can earn,” Bordelon said.</p><p>The principal of each school listed individual nominees' achievements, detailing participation in band, sports, student council, church, community and civic groups. Good grades topped the list of their achievements. </p><p>“As I was listening, I was thinking that everybody has accomplished so much, and everyone is so remarkable. I'm among the best of the best,” McCain said. “Honestly, anyone here could have won, so I'm so honored.”</p><p>McCain's parents, John and Michelle McCain, said they were brimming with pride. </p><p>“I always knew she had it in her,” John McCain said. </p><p>“We're so proud of her. It's amazing. She did this all on her own,” Michelle McCain said. </p><p>Staff Writer Kris Johnson can be reached at 857-2207 or kris.johnson@houmatoday.com.</p>